I wanted to make the case for the missing gem of motorsport, the 1980 Rover SD1. This car was designed by David Bache, designer of the Ferrari Daytona and the link between designs is obvious. Especially in the front end. Famous driver and team manager Raymond Mays described it as the “best car he ever had.” It makes an astounding 148hp from its aluminium Buick V8. Its racing history traces back to such luminaries as Tom Walkinshaw and Tony Pond.
My brother-in-law and I race one (with the original aluminium V8 engine) in the 24 Hours of Lemons Series, and this thing would absolutely DOMINATE in C class in Forza. Great acceleration, surprisingly planted handling. A beautiful patina of rust and fading paint and some electrical tape numbers make for the best livery in all of racing. This car won the I.O.E. award at the 2022 Lemons race at the National Corvette Museum, was running 3rd in class C at Barber Motorsports Park this past February until a monsoon arrived, and then took victory in class C at Gingerman Raceway this past May, with an absurd 8th place overall for a 44-year-old British car. I can arrange a scan of the vehicle if Turn10 so desire. See it in action at Road America in 2023 here: https://youtu.be/8-IXKnQTMkY?si=W_G7vk7OdwrBwqrb Nothing can stop this car, Turn10 just doesn’t want everyone to use it online to keep it from overwhelming every lobby in which it’s available. But all racers need to experience the glory of this thoroughbred of racing. Thank for attending my TED talk.
